PORTLAND, Ore. - Generations, LLC. and the Melvin Mark Companies of Portland, along with Fruithill, Inc., of Yamhill and Coelho Winery of Amity, will be recognized as winners at the 2012 Excellence in Family Business Awards at a ceremony Nov. 15 at the Governor Hotel in Portland.

The awards are presented by Oregon State University's Austin Family Business Program.

This year five winning companies, seven finalist companies and two individuals will be recognized. More than 180 companies have been honored in this peer-reviewed competition since the awards were first presented in 1988.

"We are honored to recognize such accomplished and successful family businesses," said Sherri Noxel, director of the Austin Family Business Program. "The 2012 winners have strong connections between the generations and are thoughtfully building businesses that will be successful for many generations."

The awards recognize the achievements of family businesses in innovation, entrepreneurship, and commitment to community involvement.

During the ceremony, Atiyeh Oriental Rugs of Portland will be honored with the Dean's Award for Family Business Leadership. The Atiyeh family has owned and operated these rug stores since 1900. The family has also been committed to public service, including that of former Oregon Gov. Vic Atiyeh.

Coelho Winery won the micro category for businesses with nine or fewer employees. The Coelho family began growing grapes in the Willamette Valley in 2004 and now produces more than 12,000 cases of wine each year. The family has successfully integrated sons David and Sam Coelho into the business started by parents Dave and Deolinda Coelho.

Andersen Family Farms of Ellensburg, Wash. was a finalist in the micro category.

Fruithill, Inc. of Yamhill was honored in the small family business category, which recognizes businesses with 10-24 employees. The Schrepel family has operated the business since a wedding gift in 1919 provided seed money for a small farm. The company now grows cherries, plums, hazelnuts, wine grapes and other crops in addition to on-site processing.

Twelve-Mile Disposal Service of Portland and Gomberg Kite Productions International of Lincoln City were finalists in the small category.

Melvin Mark Companies were recognized in the medium category for businesses with 25-99 employees. The Portland firm began in 1945 and now has four generations of the family involved in the enterprise. The company manages and leases more than 19 Portland-area commercial properties.

Finalists in the medium category were Alan Brown Tire Center of Newport and Musgrove Family Mortuaries of Eugene.

Generations, LLC. won the large category (100 or more employees). Managed by the fourth generation of the White family, Generations runs senior living communities on the West Coast.

Hubbard-based Ulven Companies and Capitol Auto Group of Salem were finalists in the large category.

Also recognized will be Bobby Garrett, assistant professor of strategy and entrepreneurship at OSU, and Christopher Thompson, a recent College of Business graduate who joined his family firm, TEC Equipment, Inc.

Founded in 1985, the Austin Family Business Program is a university-based family business program providing inspiration, education, outreach, and research to support the success and survival of family businesses.

Source: 

Sherri Noxel, 541-737-6019

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